MCAT Physical : MCAT Physical Sciences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for MCAT Physical

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Example Questions

Example Question #6 : Phase Diagrams

Phase diagrams are used to depict changes in the properties of a solution at different temperatures and pressures. Below is a phase diagram of a polar solution.

Phase_diagram_ps

At temperatures and pressures above those at Point B, the material is called a __________.

Possible Answers:

Supercritical fluid

Plasma

Gas

Liquid

Correct answer:

Supercritical fluid

Explanation:

Point B is known as the critical point. While identifying this point on the phase diagram is important, it is also important to know that at temperatures and pressures above the critical point, the solution is called a supercritical fluid, meaning that separate gas and liquid phases do not exist. 

Example Question #7 : Phase Diagrams

Phase diagrams are used to depict changes in the properties of a solution at different temperatures and pressures. Below is a phase diagram of a polar solution.

Phase_diagram_ps

What processes are occurring at Point A?

Possible Answers:

None of these

Freezing/melting

Deposition/sublimation

Condensation/vaporization

Correct answer:

Freezing/melting

Explanation:

First, it is important to identify what phases are occurring on each side of the line on which Point A rests. In section 1, the pressure is high and the temperature low, meaning the solution is a solid. In section two, both the pressure and temperature are intermediate, meaning the solution is a liquid. In other words, the segment that Point A is on is the equilibrium line between solid and liquid, thus, melting and freezing are occurring at Point A. 

Example Question #2 : Phase Diagrams

Phase diagrams are used to depict changes in the properties of a solution at different temperatures and pressures. Below is a phase diagram of a polar solution.

Phase_diagram_ps

What processes are occurring at Point C?

Possible Answers:

Vaporization/condensation

Deposition/sublimation

Freezing/melting

None of these

Correct answer:

Vaporization/condensation

Explanation:

First, it is important to identify what phases are occurring on each side of the line on which Point C rests. In section two, both the pressure and temperature are intermediate, meaning the solution is a liquid. In section three, both the pressure and temperature are high, meaning the solution is a gas. In other words, the segment that Point C is on is the equilibrium line between liquid and gas, thus, vaporization and condensation are occurring at Point C. 

Example Question #9 : Phase Diagrams

Phase diagrams are used to depict changes in the properties of a solution at different temperatures and pressures. Below is a phase diagram of a polar solution.

Phase_diagram_ps

What processes are occurring at Point E?

Possible Answers:

Freezing/melting

None of these

Vaporization/condensation

Deposition/sublimation

Correct answer:

Deposition/sublimation

Explanation:

First, it is important to identify what phases are occurring on each side of the line on which Point E rests. In section 1, the pressure is high and the temperature low, meaning the solution is a solid. In section three, both the pressure and temperature are high, meaning the solution is a gas. In other words, the segment that Point E is on is the equilibrium line between solid and gas, thus, deposition and sublimation are occurring at Point E. 

Example Question #10 : Phase Diagrams

Phase diagrams are used to depict changes in the properties of a solution at different temperatures and pressures. Below is a phase diagram of a polar solution.

Phase_diagram_ps

What molecule has a phase diagram similar to the one presented?

Possible Answers:

Bromine

Water

Hydrogen

Mercury

Correct answer:

Water

Explanation:

While this may seem like an obscure question, the MCAT specifically requires you to know the shape of the water phase diagram. Unique to only a few molecules, the solid phase in our diagram is less dense than the liquid phase, meaning that the solid/liquid phase line has a negative slope (this can be seen as segment AD in the above image). Water is one of the select few compounds with this characteristic.

Example Question #11 : Phase Diagrams

The phase diagram for water (H2O) shows that it can go through all three phases at a pressure of 1atm. The phase diagram for carbon dioxide (CO2) shows that it can only be a solid or a gas at 1atm.

Based on this information, which statement is true?

Possible Answers:

CO2 does not have a liquid phase

CO2 will not sublimate at a pressure of 1atm

Raising the pressure when CO2 is a solid will result in COliquid

CO2 has a higher triple point pressure than H2O

Correct answer:

CO2 has a higher triple point pressure than H2O

Explanation:

The phase diagram for carbon dioxide (CO2) shows that it will sublimate from a solid to a gas as temperature is increased at one atmosphere of pressure. If a solid immediately goes to a gas, we can conclude that the pressure is too low to allow the substance to first go through the liquid phase. As a result, we can conclude that the point in which CO2 is in all three phases (the triple point) will take place at a higher pressure than 1atm. Because water (H2O) is able to go through all of its three phases at a pressure of 1atm, we know that the triple point pressure is less than 1atm.

Example Question #12 : Phase Diagrams

Phase diagrams are used to depict changes in the properties of a solution at different temperatures and pressures. Below is a phase diagram of a polar solution.

Phase_diagram_ps

What are the phases in sections 1, 2, and 3, respectively?

Possible Answers:

Solid, gas, liquid

Liquid, solid, gas

Gas, solid, liquid

Solid, liquid, gas

Correct answer:

Solid, liquid, gas

Explanation:

Section 1 is at high pressure and low temperature, meaning the solution is a solid. In section 2, the solution is at intermediate pressure and temperature, meaning it is a liquid. Section 3 is at high temperature and low pressure, meaning it is a gas. 

Example Question #32 : Phase Changes

A hockey player cannot skate on dry ice due to its __________.

Possible Answers:

negative slope of its solid-gas equilibrium line

positive slope of its solid-liquid equilibrium line

negative slope of its solid-liquid equilibrium line

positive slope of its solid-gas equilibrium line

Correct answer:

positive slope of its solid-liquid equilibrium line

Explanation:

Because dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide, it does not have the same liquid-solid equilibrium line as water and traditional ice. Its liquid-solid equilibrium line is positive, which means that increased pressure will only cause the dry ice to remain solid. If it were negative, then increased pressure would cause melting as seen with water. Skating on solids is like skating on dirt or rocks. The other choices concerning solid and gas does not apply since no gases are involved. 

Example Question #2 : Electrochemistry

A student conducts an experiment for a chemistry class. The student wishes to explore power generation from different types of voltaic cells. He sets up three different cells, and then compares the amount of energy generated from each one.

One of his cells is shown below as an example. Both remaining cells follow the same layout. 

Untitled

Instead of silver, a scientist uses a strip of zinc in the opposite half cell from copper. Which of the following is true when comparing this new cell to the cell in the diagram?

The reduction potential of is 0.34 volts. The reduction potential for  is -0.76 volts.

Possible Answers:

Ions are no longer generated in the new cell

The cathode is the same in both cells

Energy can be produced in both cells

The direction of electron flow is the same in both cells

The direction of ion migration in the salt bridge is the same in both cells

Correct answer:

Energy can be produced in both cells

Explanation:

In the new cell, energy can still be produced, but because zinc ions have a lower reduction potential than copper ions, the copper will be reduced and the direction of electron flow will be reversed, as compared to the cell with silver in which copper was oxidized.

Example Question #1 : Electrochemistry

A student conducts an experiment for a chemistry class. The student wishes to explore power generation from different types of voltaic cells. He sets up three different cells, and then compares the amount of energy generated from each one.

One of his cells is shown below as an example. Both remaining cells follow the same layout.

Untitled

If there is a net production of copper ions in the half cell on the left as the reaction proceeds, which of the following must be true?

Possible Answers:

There is no net electron flow

Copper is reduced in the reaction

Copper has a more positive reduction potential than silver

Silver has a more positive reduction potential than copper

Silver is oxidized in the reaction

Correct answer:

Silver has a more positive reduction potential than copper

Explanation:

If copper ions are generated as the voltaic cell functions, then the copper is being oxidized, and the silver must be reduced. Reduction and oxidation always occur together in a coupled reaction. This must also mean that the reduction potential for Ag is higher than the reduction potential for Cu.

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